You'd have to address that question to James Mooney, I get the impression that he thinks he's already invited all those that applied to come and the ones who will be attend ongoing are just the ones who showed a willingness to keep attending. Some of those who went to the first meeting wanted to come and say their piece but have no interest in attending regular meetings and he's going to cut some of us out, as he thinks CTWD are over-represented in the group. I don't know who'll end up on it, half the people there last night I didn't know and I only knew four of the people that were at the first meeting.
There is absolutely no movement on the stadium development, it's simply not going to happen while AA is in charge.
For them though the main focus is profits. If we fill 35,000 seats at £8 (avg. of adult and concessions) the total income from tickets is £280,000. If we fill 20,000 at £20 it gets £400,000. Obviously the increased customers brings more customers for food/merch etc. but to bring the larger attendance up to the £400,000 mark it would require each extra customer to spend £8 on these supplementary goods per match day which I suspect is more than people currently do. These basic calculations don't even factor in added police/stewarding costs and of course the added costs of a new/extended stadium.
He's been told by some I know that he certainly hasn't. It's quite a selective group, but based on conversations one or two names surprise me. My understanding is he didn't want a representative fans panel, but a collection of individuals being told what's happening. I suspect he's begining to realise he'll not really get away with that, but he's still trying to dilute the meetings. Surely, if it's a selected, non-elected group, if people are on the group, then it's through THEM that we ask questions? To do it all individually seem to negate the need for a group. I'd still be interested to know more about the people on the panel and who they're supposed to be speaking/attending for, because I don't see many (if any) willing or capable of representating people I know.
I was at the meeting but do not represent any group. Found out about this place at the meeting so have joined. I enjoyed the meeting although it could do to be a bit shorter. Maybe once they formalise the group that will happen.
I think he's keen to involve people who are involved in message boards, as it allows for the word to be spread to more people, but outside of that I've really no idea who most of the other people are, so I've no idea who they are representing, or what they think about anything.
I'd like to know more about what it's supposed to be before I decide if I feel it's a credible group or just a token head patting gesture, because it doesn't match the format that was proposed and discussed before the request for expressions of interest. James reads these boards, so he knows full well that there are people that have applied and heard nothing, so it's a selective group of individuals rather than what it appears to be claiming to be. I struggle to see the point of unelected, unaccountable people turning up to hear a talk. They're certainly not representing fans views even if they had an opportunity. Most if not all will have their own reasons and agendas, but seemingly they can answer some questions, but others have to be asked direct to the club. How do we know what on earth is supposed to be going on, or get our views aired? If the club seriously want to communicate with the fans, this is a piss poor way to do it.
I had some email correspondence with James Mooney a few weeks ago, regarding any name change application this season. I e-mailed him today and asked if I could be invited to the next meeting, he said yes straight away and will let me know once the date is arranged. Whether he tells me about it nearer the time remains to be seen, but attendance is certainly not restricted to previous applicants nor is it denied to those of us against a name change. The name change is not why I want to attend, I want to take the opportunity to have a voice with club employees. If I do go, I will let the board know. If there are any points anyone wants to raise I'm happy to try and bring them up, assuming I get there.
I disagree Dutch,it seems like it could be quite fruitful to me. There's been a bit of interesting stuff already that we otherwise wouldn't know. Do all clubs do fan meetings like these? I don't know, that's why I ask, I don't know how most clubs engage with their fans, if they do at all. One good way I have noticed though, when I've looked at the crystal palace message board around the times we've played them,is that they have an official account on there and they get in touch via the forum now and again. I've no idea why the club doesn't do this on our message boards, possibly because we are quite childish on here, but it should be done. It's free, simple, and an excellent way for them to communicate quickly. They obviously read these boards so I've no idea why they can't post and enlighten us on some topics.
That was happening, at least to a small degree, when Ash Lord would respond to direct questions on Twitter.
Like what? I can't see anything much that wasn't known and nothing at all that couldn't be done more simply with a good press officer/media man. Who is your rep on there? How do you get questions asked? If the people on it don't want to raise your question, what then? What input do the people there really have? If they just want to talk to individuals, why not start their own message board?
What makes you think I haven't? And he certainly does not usually answer emails..but the fact you suggest doing it shows the impotence of the current system.
I'm not sure what you're expecting from this group, unless the group has 22,000 members, it's always going to be a handful of representative individuals, rather than every City fan individually. They're trying to get a representative bunch, they're limiting the amount of CTWD involved, they're trying to involve senior tigers, students, women, fans from all stands, OSC, people from message boards who can raise things on behalf of their posters, it's a varied mix of people, I'm not sure what else they can do. I've no idea if it's something to just placate fans, or if it will actually achieve things, but there were certainly issues raised that the club were not aware of and were not happy to hear and hopefully these will be addressed. Those of us at CTWD have approached this with a certain amount of scepticism, but we've been calling for fan consultation and we're finally getting some, so we'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now.
